Brackbill Meets With West Easton Council

April 05, 1994|by LISA GOTTO-PETCHONKA, The Morning Call

Northampton County Executive Bill Brackbill and aide Frank Bilotta attended last night's West Easton Council meeting in an effort to establish better communication between the county executive's office and area municipalities.

"I feel it's very important for the county executive to establish a dialogue between municipalities and the county because I think there are a lot of things we can do together."

Brackbill said he is visiting municipalities to discuss relevant issues such as tax reform and the establishment of beneficial programs like the 911 emergency response system.

Brackbill encouraged municipal officials to contact his office with their concerns. Mayor Gerald Gross commended Brackbill for his unique approach to meet with the borough and said he hoped that such discourse would help smaller municipalities receive more recognition from the county, especially when block grant money is being awarded.

Gross said he hopes Brackbill is sincere in his aspirations to work closer with municipalities, but only time will tell.

"His bell will be ringing if he does not deliver on what he presents," said Gross.

Council also discussed the establishment of snow emergency routes. The ordinance committee has recommended that the following streets be designated as snow emergency routes: Main Street from East Street to the borough line, East Street from Spring to 5th Street, 7th Street from East Street to Iron Street, Spring Street from Ridge to East, Ridge Street from Spring to Freemansburg Avenue, 10 Street from Ridge to Palmer, and Palmer Street from 10th to Freemansburg.

This would require residents to remove their cars from these streets in the event of a snow emergency, and would require all vehicles traveling the routes to be equipped with snow tires or chains. The ordinance will be in place for next winter.